Kikikim

After celebrating my dad's 80th. birthday,on April 11, we (from California) are planing a 3 day road trip (husband, I and dad - in good health) from Bergen County in New Jersey to Niagara Falls. Ideally, stopping overnight on the way to the fall. Need suggestion where to stop by and spend the night. Then heading to the falls, and here the dilemma, do we go and stay the night in the Canadian side or stay in the New York side and walk to the Canadian? Any suggestion of a reasonably priced, professional staff hotels and restaurants?
Would appreciate any suggestions and tips for appreciating the falls with such short time.

cd

I would recommend that you stay on the Canadian side. Even if your dad is in good shape, it's a long walk. However, be sure to visit Goat Island from the US side, you can get really close to the Falls from there.

I always recommend a fallsview room atEmbassy Suites on the Canadian side. There are two rooms in each suite so you all will have private time. Also, it comes with a complimentary cooked to order breakfast that is very good, and with it included in the room rate, economical. We have stayed there twice and will do so again. Check out their packages at: http://embassysuiteshotelfallsview.c...FQG7Ggod03o9mw

kencolian

I would stay overnight on the Canadian side but do many of the falls activities on the US side. The hotels and amenities are nicer on the Canadian side.

I think your activity plans will depend on the weather. If it is warm enough, and open, Maid of the Mist and cave of the winds are not to be missed. The visitor center on the US side is interesting, lots of history and Geology.

The Canadian side has better evening fall views, fireworks and light shows and a prominade. Also there is more fun commercial stuff, wax museum, amusement rides, Guiness Book of world record, etc. There may be a good show. There are casinos on both sides now.

nytraveler

April 11 is awfully early to visit the Falls. It's perfectly possible that it will still be very cold and snowy and it's likely that some of the major activities will not be operating yet (Maid of the Mist usually starts in early May I believe, but actual start date depends on the weather).

Also - a winter storm is still perfectly possible, making road travel difficult at best.

So early in the year I would be heading south not north into the snow belt.

Kikikim

Thank you for your suggestions. The reason is that we have been several times to east coast but somehow missed the Falls, so I gues now or never kind of situation. I will check on the Embassy Suites. Please continue to post any suggestions for the mid point night over stop. We live in LA and have siblings in NJ, Tampa and Denver and we will be celebrating dad's birthday in NJ, just to give you some background.

alley

DH goes to Niagara Falls every year and stays at Embassy Suites in Ontario. Says it is very nice, has a free breakfast, and you can walk to the Falls.

Have fun!